Domestic workers: meaning, definitions and examples
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domestic workers
[ dəˈmɛstɪk ˈwɜrkərz ]
work
Domestic workers are individuals employed to provide services within a household. These services may include cleaning, cooking, child care, and other household tasks.
Synonyms
domestics, house help, household staff.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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domestic workers |
This term is generally used in professional or formal settings to refer to individuals employed to perform household tasks.
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household staff |
This term is used to refer generally to a group of individuals employed to manage various tasks in a large household or estate. It's typically used in more formal or professional, sometimes affluent, contexts.
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domestics |
This term can be used in a more casual or outdated context. It may sound less respectful in contemporary use.
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house help |
This is a less formal term and is often used in everyday conversation to refer to individuals who assist with household tasks.
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Examples of usage
- They hired a team of domestic workers to help maintain their large estate.
- The demand for domestic workers has increased with the rise in dual-income households.
legal
Domestic workers are individuals who work in a private household and are not covered by standard labor laws. They may face challenges such as lack of job security and fair wages.
Synonyms
household employees, in-home workers, private household staff.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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domestic workers |
This term is widely used in legal, social, and employment contexts. It generally refers to people employed to perform household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and child care.
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household employees |
Often used in legal and tax documents to specify individuals who work within a household setting. This term is formal and commonly used in employment contracts.
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in-home workers |
This term is typically used to emphasize the workspace, which is inside someone’s home, and can include caregivers, nannies, and personal assistants.
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private household staff |
Used mainly in wealthy households or estates to refer to a more organized and structured group of employees, including butlers, maids, and gardeners.
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Examples of usage
- Many countries are working to improve the rights and protections for domestic workers.
- Domestic workers often face exploitation due to their vulnerable legal status.
Translations
Translations of the word "domestic workers" in other languages:
🇵🇹 trabalhadores domésticos
🇮🇳 घरेलू कामगार
🇩🇪 Hausangestellte
🇮🇩 pekerja rumah tangga
🇺🇦 домашні працівники
🇵🇱 pracownicy domowi
🇯🇵 家事労働者
🇫🇷 travailleurs domestiques
🇪🇸 trabajadores domésticos
🇹🇷 ev işçileri
🇰🇷 가사 노동자
🇸🇦 العمالة المنزلية
🇨🇿 domácí pracovníci
🇸🇰 domáci pracovníci
🇨🇳 家务工人
🇸🇮 gospodinjski delavci
🇮🇸 heimilisstarfsmenn
🇰🇿 үй қызметкерлері
🇬🇪 სახლის მუშაკები
🇦🇿 ev işçiləri
🇲🇽 trabajadores domésticos
Etymology
The term 'domestic workers' dates back to the 19th century when the Industrial Revolution led to the demand for household help in urban areas. Initially, domestic workers were predominantly women and minorities who performed tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare. Over time, the role of domestic workers has evolved, but challenges such as low pay, lack of benefits, and poor working conditions persist in many parts of the world.